Gastric Sleeve vs Gastric Band

In our past DayOne Health blogs we talked about the differences between a gastric bypass and lap-band. However, we never actually talked about the gastric sleeve, a weight loss surgery that works very similar to a lap-band, restricting the size of your stomach. In both procedures, you have a smaller stomach, so you can cut the size of your portions and lose weight. While the overall weight loss mechanism is similar, lap-band and gastric sleeve are very different in terms of risks and complication rates.

Will my stomach look different with a lap-band vs. with a gastric sleeve?

The first and biggest difference between the two weight loss procedures is how the stomach volume is decreased. In the case of a lap-band procedure, you have an inflatable band placed around your stomach creating a small pouch at the top, which becomes your new smaller stomach. Conversely, during the gastric sleeve procedure the surgeon reduces the size of the stomach by removing 60% to 80% of the tissue, leaving only a narrow tube. In other words, while lap-band involves placing of an implant to restrict the amount of food you can eat, gastric sleeve changes your stomach size by cutting off its major part. As a result, gastric sleeve limits your portion size and makes you feel full faster. A lap-band does exactly the same thing without cutting or stapling of your stomach. In addition, the lap-band also slows down your digestion process, making you feel full longer.

How different are diet recommendations for lap-band and gastric sleeve?

Since both procedures involve decreasing the amount of food you can eat but do not influence your food choices as much, in both cases you need to remember to stay away from high fat and high calorie foods. After undergoing either of these two procedures, you should avoid carbonated drinks, snacks, and drinking with meals. You will also need to chew your food thoroughly and always make sure that you incorporate the right amount of protein in your daily meal plan. In general, for the gastric sleeve or the lap-band nutrition plan, your daily recommended calorie intake will be about 1,100 to 1,200 calories. Once you reach your weight loss goal, the recommended amount may change depending on your age, gender, and physical activity.

Will I need any dietary supplements?

Because your stomach will be able to accommodate approximately only 4 ounces of food, either with lap-band or gastric sleeve, it is important that you plan your meals well and make sure they contain everything your body needs. In general it is recommended that a person eats at least 2-3 ounces of protein per meal – which will help you achieve a daily goal of 60-65 grams. Unlike the lap-band, the gastric sleeve alters your digestive tract. That is also why it may cause the malabsorption of the vitamin B12, and therefore you will most likely need to regularly take a vitamin supplement.

What are the possible complications of the two weight loss procedures?

The gastric sleeve is a much more serious surgery than a gastric band procedure, so its complication rates are higher and the degree of complications may be more serious. Moreover, in contrast with the lap-band, gastric sleeve is a permanent and non-adjustable procedure. This means that in the case of major side effects or complications, nothing can be done to reverse it and go back to your old digestive tract.

Immediate surgical risks of the gastric sleeve include infection, blood clots, bleeding and leakage at stomach staple edge. This is also the reason why in the case of gastric sleeve surgery, you will need to stay under observation in the hospital for two or three days. Lap-band surgery, on the other hand, can be performed as an outpatient weight loss surgery, and you can recover in the comfort of your own home the same day. The only complication that may occur immediately after the lap-band procedure is an infection at the incision site.